Deputies race into dark, cold Florida canal to rescue woman from submerged car (Video)

It was already dark outside when an emergency 911 call came into the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) around 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2022.  Reportedly, a car had plunged into the canal waters on Southgate Boulevard in Tamarac, Florida.

BSO officials said when deputies arrived at the canal, they saw that the vehicle was completely submerged, according to Local10 News.

Deputies Alex Ferraro, Christopher Anca and Sean Flynn from the BSO’s North Lauderdale headquarters were the first to arrive at the scene, and when they realized there was also a person on the murky waters, they removed their duty gear and entered the canal.

The high temperature that day in Tamarac was just 54 degrees. The low was 45 degrees. While swimming to the vehicle, the deputies saw a woman rise to the surface and turn face down in the water. The three first responders recovered the woman and brought her to the opposite side of the canal where they immediately administered aid.

That woman would live to tell the tale.

“The three deputies who went into the water did what they are trained to do – risk their lives to try and save the life of a stranger. Their oath demands that they do so, and their actions reflect the commitment the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office provide to the community each and every day,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said. 

Investigators were led to believe that the woman in the vehicle intentionally drove into the water during a suicide attempt. Coral Springs Fire Rescue also arrived at the scene and transported the woman to a nearby medical facility where she received treatment.

See the actual video of the rescue, recorded on a deputy’s body worn camera.

Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others. Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions today, because otherwise there may not be a tomorrow. ~BSO

• To learn more about local community resources, including 2-1-1 in Broward County, visit: https://211-broward.org/ 2-1-1 Broward is available 24/7.

• And to receive more information about suicide prevention, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/

• If you or someone you know is in crisis and contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 

(Source and video: Broward Sheriff’s Office) 

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook. Twitter & Instagram Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies